From the Rubble

His family had been told that there was no chance of finding their missing boy alive.  His body had not yet been discovered after five days of searching in the rubble of the building in which he had been working when the earthquake struck eastern Turkey.  The building was one of about 2,000 that were leveled by the quake, killing at last 573 people and injuring approximately 2,500 others.

Thirteen-year-old Ferhat Tokay was working in a shoe shop on the ground floor of the building in Ercis, Turkey, when the 7.2 magnitude quake occurred.  He was instantly trapped, and despite his efforts was unable to free himself.

But soon after rescue workers had sent his uncle and other relatives away to get some rest with no glimmer of hope, they discovered Tokay – alive!  The workers were able to pull him from the rubble without injury.

A state-run news agency reported that Tokay survived, despite having no food, by drinking rainwater that seeped through cracks in the wreckage around him.  While trapped, he was able to peer through a tiny gap in the wreckage to see when it was day or night.  He and his family were unsure if he would ever see the light of day again… But he was rescued! *

Tokay’s entrapment in the rubble illustrates our own bondage to sin.  Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34; see also Romans 6:16).  In sin, we are ALL (Romans 3:23) under its dominion and doomed for destruction (see Matthew 7:13-14).  And, we can’t dig our way out!  We are trapped!

But JESUS came to our rescue!  By paying the price for our sins, He is able to pull us from the wreckage and ruin of sin (Ephesians 1:7) – IF we will accept His offer!

Jesus will save those who place their faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).

Trapped in the rubble of sin?  Don’t despair!  Jesus has come to rescue you!  Accept His offer of salvation, and you can be freed from sin.

Won’t YOU?

David A. Sargent, Minister